This weekend gave us all the chance to search through boxes of TKE stuff that we hadn't seen in 15 or 20 years. It gave us the chance to try to explain to our wives and loved ones why TKE was so important. Looking at old pictures and TKE stuff only made the anticipation of the weekend greater.
Saturday was a magical day. I saw people that I haven't see or spoken to for 15 years. It was amazing to see how old friendships picked up where they left off so many years ago. We all heard stories that we had forgotten or heard stories from other fraters that we had never heard.
We all laughed...a lot. We all talked about the things we did that we hope our kids never do.
I loved sitting in the back yard wondering who would come through the fence gate next. We all had people that we were looking forward to seeing again. I wanted to see my pledge class again and especially wanted to see my big brother (Slug) again. What I discovered is that it was great to see everyone.
I hope that everyone can take away some special memories from this weekend. My hope is that some old friendships have been reestablished and some new ones have been started. I don't know why I've waited 15 years to visit or get in touch with brothers who were such a large part of my life for 4 years.
I know I won't wait 15 more.
We'll never get another chance to be as close, as young, or as carefree as we all were at TKE in the 80s. For a weekend, however, we had a chance to get together and remember those times. Don't let the memory of the weekend and the bond we all have lay dormant for another 15 years.
TKE is for life. I knew it once. I forgot.
This weekend taught it to me again.
YITB
Emelio
Homecoming 2007
Photos
Stories
Missing Brothers
Brothers in the Military
Brother Profiles:
Scroll #290 - #326
Scroll #327 - #359
Scroll #360 - #388
Scroll #389 - #405
Links
Comments about '04 party:
Pre-Party -Page 1
Pre-Party - Page 2
Post-Party
Our Message
I wanted to make sure that EVERYBODY - brothers that attended, brothers that didn't attend, wives, girlfriends, kids, EVERYBODY - knew just how much you ALL made this into such a great party!
The reason this party was such a huge success was because you ALL got excited and wanted it to happen so badly! All we did was take that excitement and share it.
For those of you who couldn't attend, each and every one of you was asked about.
Through pictures and stories, we were constantly hearing,
"HEY!! Why isn't he here? What's he up to?"
I have never seen a group of people who couldn't attend a party still contribute so much to it! This is one of the many reasons we are so willing to do this again at our house.
We had an incredible time. It was all so worth it to us! While I was washing my hair this morning, my ribs hurt like hell when I lifted my arms. At first, I was confused, then I realized that they were stiff and sore from laughing so hard.
Now, THAT'S a good party!
The brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon meant a lot to me, personally, during my years at Lycoming. They took good care of me. Some more than others. I spent a lot of time in the first floor of Wesley and never felt unwelcome.
Most importantly, you men molded the man that I love and cherish more than anything in the world. To hear him laugh again like he did 18 years ago was such a wonderful thing. You all gave me an amazing father to my children and an incredible husband. For that, throwing a party is a small token.
One of the first pictures Tim and I have of each other is of the two of us standing at our first official "date" under a banner at the TKE Formal that read, "TKE for Life". The "TKE"-part of the banner got cut-off by whomever took it, but we've always cherished that picture for the double meaning of the "For Life" that WAS visible over our heads.
We will never be able to turn back time.
I don't want to. We have the ability to (and just did) create new memories that are just as good as the old ones. What I just saw this weekend proved that the "TKE-part" can never be cut-off. It always is
TKE for Life.
I'm glad he has that.
Thank-you.